If you’re a rail or transport trade worker / trade unionist and want to help build solidarity, get in touch: info@ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org

We publish here two interviews with rail worker trade unionists in Ukraine. The first is with Andriy Khyzhniy and Kateryna Izmailova of the Trade Union of Railway & Transport Construction Workers of Ukraine (TURU); it was conducted by Sacha Ismail and Chris Ford of USC, with Vitaliy Dudin of Sotsialniy Rukh translating. The second is with Vyacheslav Grigorievich Fedorenko from the Kryvyi Rih section of the KVPU-affiliated Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine (VPZU), with some additional background discussion with VPZU leader Oleksandr Skiba from Kyiv; it is republished, with thanks, from the International Labour Network of Solidarity and Struggles.

• Interview with Andriy Kyzhniy and Kateryna Izmailova
• Interview with Vyacheslav Fedorenko and Oleksandr Skiba

There is an urgent need for increased solidarity with rail and transport workers in Ukraine, who are carrying out their essential work to support Ukraine’s society and war effort in very difficult and dangerous conditions.

UK train drivers’ union ASLEF is a strong supporter of Ukraine and its labour movement, and has been affiliated to our campaign since 2014. In addition to organising practical and political solidarity, it has played a central role in promoting support for Ukraine in the wider trade union movement. ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan was in Ukraine visiting trade union comrades as the full-scale invasion began in 2022; ASLEF Assistant General Secretary Simon Weller, who sits on our steering committee, visited Ukraine on a USC solidarity delegation in 2024.

Unfortunately the leadership of the biggest UK rail union RMT – which has a strong Communist Party / Stalinist legacy – has taken a different stance. Its July 2025 AGM tied on a motion focused on opposing UK military support for Israel but also calling to end aid to Ukraine (the AGM passed other policy on Israel; the inclusion of both in a single motion was a ploy). The tie was despite repeated speeches in favour of the motion by RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey; it was then passed on President George Welch’s casting vote. This makes RMT the only UK union to hold this position: but the fact that they could not win even a plurality of conference delegates indicates the weak support for it in the union and the strength of opposition.

RMT members involved in opposing the motion want to organise more practical solidarity while also pushing to shift their union. If you’re an RMT member and want to help, get in touch and we can connect you: info@ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org

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